Roaming Brood

In preparation for our big RTW trip in 2019, we felt it would be wise to have a practice run first.  Well, maybe this was just our excuse to justify a ski trip to Alberta!  We went carry-on luggage only (as is our plan for our RTW)...and, of course, all of our ski gear.  Good friends met up with us and we had a fabulous 11 days exploring the winter wonderland of Canmore/Banff/Lake Louise.  Mike even took a day trip to Kicking Horse while the kids and I took a day off.  The skiing was fabulous and the views were incredible.  I even had the chance to test out my cross-country skiing skills on the trail to Moraine Lake. 

We're holed-up in the dining room with laptops, phones and our best friend - google.com !  Our mega-spreadsheet - dubbed " the oracle " - is fired-up and our credit card at hand - where would we be without VISA?! We've collected a few 'best practices' - hope some of them help you with your trip plans. Flights and Accommodations  There's a catch-22 in planning any trip - what do you book first - accommodations or flights?  The way we see it, there are a few key constraints to consider: Airlines post flight schedules up to 11 months in advance Flight prices will fluctuate leading up to departure date - you want to buy at the right time If you book a flight 11mo ahead, it's schedule is likely to change at least once before your departure date Some accommodations offer free cancellations/modifications whereas cheap flights tend to be more rigid Cheap flights are almost always non-refundable and non-cancellable Some flight resellers offer '